When asked why he and his three partners chose New Canaan for their new restaurant, chef David Raymer, said, "We like the town, we like the people."
Most important, he said, was the location they secured. When the partners learned that the white-columned building on Main Street, , was available, they jumped at the opportunity.
Although he acknowledged that New Canaan has more than its fair share of restaurants, Raymer said that Boulevard 18 will offer something not currently available.
The concept, he said, is for a, "steak frite joint." Raymer said he does not see himself in direct competition with other New Canaan restaurants. Speaking of , which also offers French fare, he said his establishment will be more casual.
"We don't want to go head-to-head with anyone," he said, also mentioning specifically , his restaurant neighbor.
With that in mind, rather than open another , he chose to return to what he called his culinary roots. Strada 18, which opened in 2006, features pizzas from a wood burning oven, salads and a large selection of wines by the glass.
There is one thing he plans to duplicate for diners from the Strada 18 experience he said, "quality of what you get there (at Strada) is beyond what you pay."
Standing in the midst of the construction site that is the building's interior, Raymer would not commit to an opening date, other than to say that it will not be before the new year.
